What does a proper deadbolt installation in Norwalk involve?
A deadbolt is only as good as the way it sits in the door. Most of the failed deadbolts we hear about are not cheap locks that gave out. They are decent locks that were put in crooked, with a strike plate screwed into thin door-jamb wood, or in a door that has shifted since. The bolt drags, the key turns hard, and eventually the owner stops throwing the bolt at all. At that point the lock is decoration.
Deadbolt installation means more than drilling two holes and dropping a lock in. We check the door itself, whether it is solid wood, steel, or fiberglass, and how thick it is. We confirm the bore and the backset, meaning the distance from the door edge to the center of the lock. Then we set the bolt so it throws fully into the jamb without rubbing, and we anchor the strike so it holds up against a shoulder or a kick instead of just looking neat.
This page covers adding a new deadbolt where there is only a knob, replacing a worn or damaged one, and choosing between single and double-cylinder models. If what you really need is new keys for locks you already have, that is a different job, and we point you to it below rather than sell you hardware you do not need.
Single or double cylinder: which deadbolt fits your door?
A single-cylinder deadbolt takes a key on the outside and has a thumb-turn on the inside. It is the right choice for most front doors, and it is what we install most often. You can lock and unlock from inside in a second, with no key hunting, which matters if you ever need to leave quickly.
A double-cylinder deadbolt takes a key on both sides. People ask for double cylinder deadbolt installation for one main reason: there is glass in or right beside the door, and they worry someone could break the pane, reach in, and turn a thumb-turn. That concern is real, but the trade-off is equally real. If the key is not at the door in an emergency, you cannot get out fast.
- Single cylinder: key outside, thumb-turn inside. Best for most entry doors and the easiest in an emergency.
- Double cylinder: key both sides. Considered where a door has a window or sidelight within arm's reach of the inside turn.
- Keyed-alike options: we can often match a new deadbolt to the key you already carry, so one key runs the door.
- Finish and style: we can match the look of existing handle sets so the door does not look patched together.
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Call (213) 577-1366How we install or replace a deadbolt, step by step
Whether we are adding a deadbolt where there was none or swapping one that has failed, the order of work is the same. We would rather spend an extra few minutes on prep than leave you with a bolt that sticks in August.
- Look at the door and jamb. We check material, thickness, condition of the edge, and whether the frame is solid or already split around the old strike.
- Confirm the hardware fits. We verify the bore size and the backset on an existing hole, or mark and drill a new one with the right hole saw and a guide so the cut stays square.
- Fit the latch and bolt. The bolt goes in flush with the door edge, with the faceplate mortised so it does not stand proud.
- Mount the cylinder and thumb-turn or second cylinder. Through-bolts are tightened evenly so the lock does not bind.
- Set the strike plate. We cut the jamb to suit, then anchor the strike with long screws that reach the framing behind the jamb, not just the thin trim.
- Test it with the door open and closed. The bolt should extend and retract smoothly, with no lifting or pushing the door to make it catch.
- Hand over the keys and show you how it works, including what to do if the door swells or shifts seasonally.
Is a double-cylinder deadbolt safe to install?
It depends on the door and the building, and we will tell you plainly rather than just sell you the stronger-sounding option. A key-both-sides lock can slow your exit during a fire or any emergency if the key is not close at hand. Some buildings and types of occupancy have rules about locks that need a key to open from inside on an exit door. We do not give legal rulings, so if you rent, or the unit is part of a multi-family property, check with your landlord or the local fire authority before choosing double cylinder.
If you do go with a double-cylinder deadbolt, the safe habit is keeping a key in a fixed spot near the door, out of reach from any glass but easy for everyone in the home to find. Do not take it with you every time and leave the house without a key available inside.
There are often better answers to the broken-glass worry. A single-cylinder deadbolt paired with security film on the glass, a door with no glass, or a thumb-turn set far enough from the pane can address the same risk without the exit problem. We will look at the specific door and talk through which of these makes sense.
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We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366What affects the cost of deadbolt installation in Norwalk?
We do not quote numbers on a web page because the job is only defined once someone looks at the door. What we can do is tell you what moves the cost up or down, so you are not surprised.
Often the lighter-cost route is a straight replacement in an existing, well-drilled door. The more involved the work, the more time and materials it takes.
- New hole versus existing hole: replacing a deadbolt in a prepared door is quicker than drilling a new bore in a door that only had a knob.
- Door material: solid wood, hollow steel, and fiberglass each need a slightly different approach and care.
- Lock grade and brand: stronger-built deadbolts cost more to buy, and some are worth it on a main entry. Some are overkill for a side door.
- Single versus double cylinder, and whether you want keyed-alike with your existing locks.
- Frame condition: a cracked or rotted jamb may need repair or a reinforcement plate before the strike will hold.
- Number of doors: doing several at once, matched to one key, is usually the more economical route per door.
- Time of day: a call at 3 a.m. is handled differently from a planned daytime visit.
What should Norwalk homeowners know about deadbolts in 1950s tract houses?
Norwalk is a classic post-war suburb. Block after block of single-story stucco tract homes sits on modest lots, and many still carry their original mid-century door hardware. That original hardware is often a knob lock with a thin latch and no deadbolt, or an older deadbolt that has worn out after decades of use. If you live in the tracts off Rosecrans Avenue, or in the homes near Holifield Park, that may well be your front door.
One scenario we see in neighborhoods like these is the home sale. A buyer closes on a house and wants the locks dealt with the same week. If the existing locks are simply unknown-key, rekeying is usually the economical first move. But if the front door has only a knob lock, or the deadbolt is loose and worn, that is the moment to put in a proper deadbolt at the same time, and the keys can be set up so every door runs on one key.
Apartment clusters along Pioneer Boulevard and Imperial Highway have their own rules, since a tenant usually needs the landlord's approval before swapping hardware. Newer ADU additions on deeper lots, which are increasingly common here, often need a proper deadbolt on a door that went in with builder-grade hardware. The ZIP code 90650 covers all of Norwalk, and we serve the Civic Center district, the Norwalk Town Square area, and the streets near Cerritos College the same way. Our storefront is on Wilshire Boulevard in Westwood, about 26 miles away, and our mobile vans come to you with deadbolts and tools on board.
Norwalk's climate matters for the install too. It is a flat, inland coastal plain with mild weather and minimal salt air, so corrosion is rarely the problem. The thing to watch is warm summers, which can make older wood doors and garage side doors swell and stick slightly. A deadbolt set too tight in spring can bind in July. We leave appropriate clearance at the bolt and strike so the door still works through the hot months.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366Why call Wilshire Lock & Key for a deadbolt?
We have been in business since 1987, and a lot of what we know about deadbolts comes from fixing other people's installation mistakes. We are one company, not a call center that passes your job to whoever is free. The person who answers (213) 577-1366 works for us, and the technician who arrives does too.
We have a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles plus mobile service vans, so when a part is missing or a hole has to be redone, there is a shop behind the van. David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work, and he holds it to the standard he would want on his own door.
We take calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year, which matters if a door will not lock at night. For after-hours needs, see our 24-hour locksmith service in Norwalk. If you are weighing a whole-home approach to security, our residential locksmith page covers the broader picture.
How do you check a locksmith before they install your lock?
California requires locksmith companies to hold a license from the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, known as a BSIS LCO license. Ask any locksmith you are thinking of hiring for their license number, and check it with the state before they start work. A company that dodges the question, or shows up in an unmarked car with no company name, is worth a second thought.
Other things to ask before anyone drills into your door: what the work involves, what will change the cost, and whether the person at the door works for the company you called. A clear answer on all three is a good sign. Vague answers followed by a high number once the lock is half out are not.
When a new deadbolt is not the right answer
Sometimes people call for deadbolt installation when something else would fit better. If your deadbolt works but you are worried about who has keys, rekeying the lock changes the key without replacing the hardware. If the lock is damaged or sticking, lock repair might be enough, and if it is beyond saving, lock replacement covers the whole set.
If you want keypad or app access, that is a different kind of product, covered under smart lock installation. For doors that need higher resistance to picking, drilling, or bumping, look at our high-security lock options. And if you own rental units near Cerritos College or along the corridors, the locksmith for landlords page explains how we handle multi-unit hardware changes.
Frequently asked questions
Can you install a deadbolt on a door that only has a knob lock?
Usually yes. We check the door thickness and material first, then drill the bore and edge hole with a guide so the cut stays square. Very thin or hollow doors may need reinforcement, and we will tell you if a particular door is not a good candidate.
What is the difference between deadbolt installation and deadbolt replacement?
Installation adds a deadbolt where there was none, which means new holes in the door and jamb. Replacement swaps a worn or damaged deadbolt in an existing hole. Replacement is often quicker, as long as the hole size and backset match the new lock.
Is a double-cylinder deadbolt a good idea for my front door?
Only in specific cases, such as glass right next to the lock. A key-both-sides lock can slow your exit in an emergency, and some buildings have rules about it. If you rent, ask your landlord first. We will help you weigh it against a single-cylinder option.
Do I need my landlord's permission to replace a deadbolt in a Norwalk apartment?
In most rentals, yes. The lock is usually part of the property, and your lease may set rules about changes. Get approval in writing before we start. If you manage the building, see our locksmith for landlords page.
Can the new deadbolt use the same key as my other locks?
Often yes. Many deadbolts can be keyed to match your existing house key, so one key runs the front door and the deadbolt. Tell us which brand your current locks are when you call, and we will confirm what is possible when we see the door.
Why does my deadbolt stick in summer?
Warm weather can make wood doors swell slightly, especially older doors and garage side doors, which pushes the bolt out of line with the strike. Sometimes the strike just needs adjusting. If the door has shifted a lot, we can realign it or reposition the strike.
What is a strike plate, and why does it matter so much?
The strike plate is the metal plate on the jamb where the bolt enters. If it is held by short screws into thin trim, a hard kick can split the frame even when the lock is strong. We anchor it with long screws into the framing behind the jamb.
Can you install a deadbolt at night or on a weekend?
Yes. We answer the phone at (213) 577-1366 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year. If a door will not lock at night, call and we will talk through the situation and what we can do right away.
How do I know the locksmith I hire is legitimate?
Ask for their BSIS LCO license number, since California requires locksmith companies to hold one, and verify it with the state. Also confirm who is coming, which company they work for, and what affects the cost before any work begins.
More locksmith help in Norwalk
Deadbolt Installation near Norwalk
Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.
Last updated 2026-10-11.